After a month of communal prayer, fasting and reflection during the season of Ramadan, Muslims all around the District, nation and world are celebrating Eid-al-Fitr (March 30-April 2) — the festival of the breaking of the fast — with a sense of joy and renewed responsibility.
Eid-al-Fitr, is a moment for more than celebration. For many, Ramadan and the breaking of the fast serve as a sense of restoration and encourages a call to action to promote the values learned during the time of prayer and fasting.
“Eid is a time of renewal, reflection and thanksgiving, marking the completion of a month of fasting, prayer and self-discipline. It is a day to rejoice in the mercy of Allah, to strengthen our commitment to righteousness, and to celebrate with family and community,” said Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, The Nation’s Mosque, in Southeast D.C., in a March 31 statement.
Falling on the first day of the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, Eid-al-Fitr is one of two main festivals in Islam, with the other being El-al-Adha (celebrated on the first day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar).
With social media, the popularity of Eid-al-Fitr, known widely as Eid, is seen by the mainstream as a celebration after the sacrifices made during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset.
However, while Eid-al-Fitr is certainly a moment for jubilee, as people gather, eat, and flock to the mosque in festive attire, it’s about more than just partying, dining and donning the fanciest traditional Muslim garb.
It’s about using the lessons learned during Ramadan and the joy fostered through the festive moment, to give back and strengthen society.
From former Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White announcing his reelection campaign on Eid, to Washingtonians sharing their celebrations through social media posts, many Muslims use the festival as a moment to reflect on their lessons, share gratitude and spread wisdom with the community along the way.
“After fasting and prayer I feel stronger than ever,” White told The Informer, after announcing his intent to run for the same D.C. Council seat from which he was expelled less than two months ago. “I have made tremendous progress with this ward, and I know that God is not finished with me yet. So I’m putting the vote in the hands of the people.”
With thousands of Washingtonians who are practicing Muslims and millions worldwide, Ramadan and the Eid-al-Fitr celebration is not only an important time on the Islamic calendar. Through Muslims’ service to their families and the community, this religious season is critical as the positive lessons and values gleaned can spread across the nation and world.
“May this day bring you joy, blessings, and prosperity,” Shareef said, “and may our collective efforts foster a spirit of unity, divinity and responsibility in our communities.”
The Ramadan Season: A ‘Reset,’ ‘A Guide to Mankind’
From Feb. 28-March 29, Muslims around the world honored Ramadan by participating in communal prayer while fasting from sunup to sundown. Islam teaches to use the time of prayer and fasting as a moment to clear one’s mind, body and spirit in order to tackle any of life’s challenges with confidence and strength from Allah.
“Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgement between right and wrong,” says Quran 2:185 (Surah-Al Baqarah, verse 185)
Native Washingtonian Mike Newby, who attends The Nation’s Mosque, explained why Ramadan is such an important part of the year.
“Ramadan is the most wonderful time of the year to be honest. It’s that time of the year where the Muslims realize how truly capable and in control of things they really are on top of being a season of compassion and softened hearts,” Newby told The Informer.
Walid Raifiq, owner of Maiwand Grill, considers Ramadan “a deeply anticipated month” and “a spiritual reset button.”
“The daily rhythm changes dramatically,” Rafiq said. “Waking before dawn for Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) brings a quiet stillness, a moment of intention before the day’s fast begins.”
He explained the beauty that comes from experiencing sacrifice during Ramadan.
“Navigating the hours without food or water isn’t just about physical endurance; it redirects my focus inward. It fosters patience and a heightened awareness of the blessings often taken for granted,” Rafiq explained. “That first sip of water at Iftar (breaking the fast) as the sun sets is a moment of pure gratitude, often shared joyfully with family or community.”
Similarly to Rafiq, this year also offered Dr. Marwa Hamidi, DDS, a chance to “reset” and refocus.
“I loved that Ramadan this year gave me a chance to reset my goals for my mental and physical health,” Hamidi said. “There is a warm sense of community and feeling supported by that community leaves a lasting impact.”
Washingtonians Celebrate Eid-al-Fitr, Trayon White Announces Reelection Campaign
During the Eid-al-Fitr, Washingtonians marked the festival by spreading joy and their sense of renewal with others.
“Seeing the results of our efforts sustained during Ramadan makes spending Eid with community worth it,” Newby said. “Everyone’s glowing and beautiful, and the children are all reveling in new toys. I love it.”
While children might enjoy new toys during Eid, adults often celebrate their restored sense of purpose. In the case of White, who represented Ward 8 on the D.C. Council until he was expelled on Feb. 7, after federal bribery allegations and charges, Eid was a moment to rededicate his commitment to political service.
White celebrated the breaking of the fast, posting “Eid Mubarak” on Instagram on Sunday, March 31. Yet in the same post, he also made a big announcement.
“Reelection campaign starts tomorrow,” he continued.
On the following day, still during the Eid festival, White officially announced his bid to fill his former D.C. Council seat, posting a video of him filling out paperwork to be added to the ballot, accompanied by the 2015 Andra Day song “Rise Up.”
“God has more work for us to do,” he wrote in the caption, before soliciting people to sign a petition to get the 1,500 necessary signatures to be on the ballot in the Ward 8 special election on July 15. “United we stand divided we fall.”
Political strategist, community activist and D.C. native Carl Thomas said White announcing his reelection campaign during Eid-al-Fitr is fitting during the festive religious season.
“I think during the month of Ramadan all things are forgiven for he who fasts and all those that follow the deen,” said Thomas. “There would no better time for Trayon to announce his candidacy than on the heels of the great fast, armed with the blessings of gratitude and reflection.”
For Thomas, this Ramadan and Eid held “deep spiritual, familial, and communal significance.”
“As a father, it is my hope that my children use the fast of Ramadan to develop greater self discipline, understanding, and spiritual renewal. Iftar—the breaking of the fast— provides an amazing opportunity to connect with family and friends and of course as a native Washingtonian, we have ample opportunity to engage in community based events, which allow the space to show my children the beauty of giving back,” Thomas told The Informer.
He also recognizes this moment as time to acknowledge resilience and strength for the work of uplifting society.
“Finally, after what could be a challenging month, Eid gives me the chance to celebrate a successful fast and show my gratitude for all I’m blessed with by being a blessing to others,” Thomas explained.
As someone invested in strengthening D.C.’s future, Thomas emphasized the wisdom gained during Ramadan and Eid extends beyond the religious community.
“D.C. is uniquely diverse and often we are able to celebrate not only with our Muslim brothers and sisters but also a much broader community that may not have otherwise been privy to such blessings,” Thomas said. “In this way, Ramadan and Eid become so much more than religious observances.”